PLA says exercises launched in response to president’s inauguration will test capacity to ‘seize power, launch joint attacks and occupy key areas’

China has begun its second day of military drills targeting Taiwan, in what it says is punishment for “separatist acts” after the inauguration of its new president on Monday.

The exercises, which involve Chinese military units from the air force, rocket force, navy, army, and coast guard, were announced suddenly on Thursday morning, with maps showing five approximate target areas in the sea surrounding Taiwan’s main island. Other areas also targeted Taiwan’s offshore islands, which are close to the Chinese mainland.

China’s defence ministry said the drills on Friday were testing its military’s ability to “seize power” and occupy key areas, in line with Beijing’s ultimate goal of annexing Taiwan. Taiwan’s government and people reject the prospect of Chinese rule, but China’s ruler Xi Jinping has not renounced the use of force to take the island. Western intelligence has claimed Xi has told the People’s Liberation Army to be capable of an invasion by 2027.

MBFC
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  • KevonLooneyEnglish
    135·
    25 days ago

    The ministry said China sent 19 warships around Taiwan’s perimeter, 16 marine police vessels and 49 warplanes, of which 35 crossed the median line, the de facto border between China and Taiwan.

    Lol, that’s it? Taiwan is bigger in area than 9 US states and has 24 million people. It’s taken China more than 19 warships and 49 planes to conquer uninhibited islands.

    • NaibofTabr@infosec.pubEnglish
      191·
      24 days ago

      Would you really expect them to show their full force in a preparatory exercise? Why would they do that?

      • KevonLooneyEnglish
        101·
        24 days ago

        To scare Taiwan into capitulating without firing a shot. “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” China is not going to invade Taiwan. They literally can’t risk damaging anything on the island. They need the people there to accept them willingly.

        China is not as dumb as Russia. Their leaders are venal and power hungry, but not stupid. They know the thing that keeps them in power is economic growth. If they don’t have that, they can’t control their population. An invasion of Taiwan would put racheting sanctions on their economy, slowly strangling it.

        • NaibofTabr@infosec.pubEnglish
          132·
          24 days ago

          I understand your point of view and I agree that an invasion of Taiwan doesn’t make a lot of practical sense, but I think you should also keep in mind the brutality China has demonstrated in Hong Kong. I don’t think the PRC is as concerned with consequences as they are with getting what they want, and with appearing to be in control. Continued Taiwanese independence makes them look weak.

          Nothing triggers authoritarianism quite like defiance.

        • phoenixz@lemmy.caEnglish
          11·
          23 days ago

          Chinas economy is already dying due to a variety of factors. Winnie Pooh can either invade now or soon it will be never

    • Certified Asshole@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      9·
      24 days ago

      Playing Devil’s advocate there, but there are probably three reasons: it’s expenaive, they want their best hand picked men and vessels to rattle the sabble without potential fuck ups, they need to toy the line between acting too small and too big so they are scary but no one thinks they are here for real and other countries should get involved.